Triterpenoid of avocado (Persea americana) seed and its cytotoxic activity toward breast MCF-7 and liver HepG2 cancer cells

ABSTRACT

Objective:To determine the structure of triterpenoid isolated from avocado seeds and the cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and HepG2 cells.Methods:The powder sample was macerated with ethanol,followed with separation of the extract by column chromatography.The target compound was monitored on thin layer chromatography plate and reagent Lieberman-Buchard.The isolated compound was characterized by spectral analysis,mainly ultraviolet,infrared,and liquid chromatographymass spectroscopy and their spectroscopic data with those reported in literature were compared.In vitro cytotoxic activity was investigated against Vero,MCF-7,and HepG2 cell lines using MTT assay.Results:A triterpenoid compound was isolated from ethanol extract.The extracts,fraction (F3),and the isolated compound showed a significant cytotoxic activity against all investigated cell lines.MTT assay showed that the triterpenoid isolate inhibited cell proliferation of MCF-7 and lepG2 cell line with the IC50 values of 62 μg/mL and 12 ug/mL,respectively,and was safe to normal cells.Conclusions:The results of the present study reveal that tritcrpenoid from avocado seeds have the potential for further development as anticancer agents.